The Hidden Dangers of Fatbergs on the Environment: What You Should Know
By Rose Morrison, managing editor of Renovated
Once you clean your dishes, shower or flush the toilet, you may not think much about what happens afterward. You subconsciously know the water ends up in the sewer, where underground systems divert it to wastewater management facilities, but its journey tends to be largely out of sight, out of mind.
Municipal sewage infrastructure is among the most impressive engineering marvels of modern times. These systems — having been continuously perfected as new developments arise — impact daily lives and protect public health. When water infrastructure works correctly, communities are healthier and run effectively.
However, while municipalities are responsible for maintaining and upgrading these systems, you are also accountable for what you send through the drains. Otherwise, fat, oil and grease (FOG) — the ingredients for the dreaded “fatberg” — create an ordeal for utility specialists, public health and the environment.
What Are Fatbergs?
A fatberg is solidified FOG around wet wipes, sanitary pads and other nonbiodegradable products. It causes massive blockages in sewer lines, leading to significant environmental, infrastructural and health risks. These blockages also cause millions of dollars in damage from backups, flooding, burst pipes and extensive repairs.
FOG mainly derives from kitchens, where people might pour these substances down the drain after cooking, including washing plates and wiping away greasy food debris. Undigested food can also contribute to fatberg buildup after working its way through the body.
Although product labels often warn consumers not to flush items down the toilet, many still do. Utility workers usually find baby wipes, makeup remover pads, condoms, tampons, paper towels, hair and more in the mix — even biodegradable wipes don’t break down all the way. A fatberg’s size and strength depend on what it’s accumulated over time.
Lord Belbury – Self-photographed
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From Pipes to Pollution: Fatbergs and Their Environmental Impacts
Fatbergs cause significant sewage backups — a combination of human waste, toxins, chemicals, bacteria and other harmful compounds — which seep into ecosystems. Extensive research has shed light on sewage’s effects on water bodies, coastlines and biodiversity.
Wastewater treatment plants remove many contaminants, yet 80% of untreated sewage still enters the natural world. Pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and other hazardous chemicals then enter rivers, streams and the sea, harming aquatic life. While dumping harmful toxins into waterways is now illegal, the effects continue to be detrimental to water quality.
For example, one study found over 40 sewage-borne pollutants in juvenile salmon caught within 100 meters of a wastewater facility. Heavy metals were also discovered in predatory fish in the sample. More recently, scientists identified white-pox disease in Caribbean coral from sewage pathogens.
Sewage effluents naturally compromise water quality. The nutrients — phosphorus, nitrogen, and industrial discharge — and warming water from climate change create harmful algal blooms. Cyanobacteria or dinoflagellates — which make up blue-green algae — are the most detrimental to ecosystems, wildlife and humans. Red tide toxins also accumulate in fish and shellfish, which humans may become infected with.
Other research has shown how fecal wastewater worsens invasive species infestations. In one study of Himalayan balsam — an invasive mountainous plant in Europe — scientists found uncontrolled sewage discharge led to widespread, unchecked growth in areas where it hadn’t existed before.
Fatbergs Forming More Frequently in Urban Areas
Experts predict urban populations will reach 2.5 billion people between 2018 and 2050. About 70% of this growth will occur in only 20 nations. With this expansion comes an influx of waste and the potential for larger, more common fatbergs.
In May 2021, sewer sensors detected a massive fatberg in Birmingham, England. The monstrosity weighed about 300 metric tons — roughly equivalent to 250 vehicles — and was believed to be the largest blockage ever uncovered. Engineers said it could be about 3 feet high and 1,094 yards long, taking months to remove.
Birmingham’s fatberg was not exactly a surprise, especially since sewer backups were rising by 50% the same year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, more people were practicing good hygiene and continuously wiping groceries, surfaces and other belongings down. At one point, the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority spent over $100,000 to clear blockages throughout the city 30 times.
The Effects of Fatbergs on Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Your grandmother’s tried-and-true method of pouring a salt and baking soda mixture down the drain for 30 minutes, followed by boiling water, will certainly help unclog a pipe in your home. However, it’s not enough to try DIY solutions and quick fixes to control the more significant problem or replicate small-scale solutions to the wider water treatment networks. Unfortunately, fatbergs have tremendous effects on wastewater treatment and sewer systems and require robust interventions.
You’ve seen it many times, whether a hurricane disrupts the treatment process or aging infrastructure breaks down amid population growth. Exposure to effluents containing dangerous bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants is of grave concern for public health.
Fatbergs that clog sewer pipes disrupt wastewater flow, forcing sewage into the streets, homes and businesses. The systems built to protect people from harmful wastewater fail to do so, as the prevalence of fatbergs presents new problems for safeguarding drinking water resources.
Naturally, fatberg removal requires intensive labor and highly specialized equipment, raising municipal costs. According to one study, experts believe FOG causes 50% of blockages globally. The U.S. and U.K. spend $25 billion and £100 million yearly to remove them, respectively.
Cities must spend even more of their budgets on continuous maintenance to prevent future incidents. Otherwise, the blockages may cause sewer system failures — such as clogged screens, pumps and filters — and hinder wastewater transport to facilities for proper treatment. In turn, energy consumption is higher, and water may not be adequately treated before reentering the environment.
Strategies for Mitigating Fatbergs
Fatbergs will become more common in urban areas as city populations increase in the coming years. Municipal wastewater treatment departments and citizens must work together to prevent this danger from the home to the plant.
- Cutting-Edge Technologies
Current municipal wastewater treatment facilities have proven they cannot withstand the overcapacity of major blockages. Therefore, cities should invest in state-of-the-art technologies to combat the effects of fatbergs.
It’s essential to catch FOG before it enters sewers. For example, commercial kitchens use grease interceptors to separate grease and oil — larger food particles sink while lighter FOG floats — from acceptable wastewater to increase flow. While you can install a grease trap under your sink at home, underground interceptors are suitable for heavier stream rates.
Other developments are underway. Engineers in Australia are exploring a zinc and polyurethane coating to prevent fatberg buildup in concrete sewer pipes. Australia has had significant fatberg problems in recent years, also prompted by the pandemic.
The protective product would apply to old and new wastewater infrastructure where slow water flow allows fatberg formations. While the material could prove highly effective in vulnerable systems, implementation is years away.
- Public Awareness
Public awareness is critical to stopping the plight of fatbergs. Educating people about the negative impacts of these blockages on the environment and public health enables people to make better disposal decisions. Some may not understand what can and cannot be washed down the drain, especially wet wipes and cooking oils. Campaigns can help spread the word and provide clarification.
If you accidentally flush the wrong product down the toilet or clog the pipes, use a plunger to unblock them. However, using the correct plunger, such as one with an extended flange or tiered cup, is crucial for a tighter seal. You can also use the plunger to unclog sink, shower and tub drains when the end has a bell shape.
- Upgraded Sewage Infrastructure
Overall, wastewater systems need reconstruction, as many are old and failing. In May 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented a 20-year plan for modernizing existing wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The proposal would cost $630 billion over the two decades.
The EPA can tap into available federal funding to aid utility companies in improving treatment facilities and processes. The Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers $50 billion for critical wastewater upgrades, while $13 billion is allocated for ongoing management.
- Routine Inspections
While municipal water infrastructure is regularly inspected and maintained, you should stay on top of maintenance at home. Experts recommend cleaning your sewer lines every 18-22 months to prevent clogs. Of course, don’t hold off on upkeep if you notice something wrong beforehand.
Common signs of sewage problems include foul odors, gurgling sounds, backup in toilets, showers and bathtubs, and clogged drains. Obviously, flooding in your basement is also a red flag.
- Policies and Regulations
Tackling the issue of fatbergs at the policy level is essential. For instance, local governments should enforce new regulations restricting improper disposal of FOG, wipes and other nonbiodegradable materials.
Fines and penalties for noncompliance can also dissuade individuals and businesses from poor disposal habits and prevent blockages. Most people avoid wrongdoing when faced with penalties, which encourages more responsible waste management and a cleaner environment.
Below the Surface: Preventing the Harmful Effects of Fatbergs
Population growth in urban areas raises the risk for fatberg formations. Municipalities must get ahead of the situation quickly due to their harmful impacts on the environment and public health. However, it is just as much your responsibility to dispose of waste properly and prevent clogging in sewers.
About the Author
Rose is the managing editor of Renovated and has been writing in the construction industry for over five years. She’s most passionate about sustainable building and incorporating similar resourceful methods into our world. For more from Rose, you can follow her on Twitter.